Australia women's squad named for 2005-06

Belinda Clark with the World Cup trophy that she won last month © Getty Images

The Australian selectors have named four debutants in the women's squad for the 2005-06 season. Sarah Andrews, the New South Wales fast bowler, and Kirsten Pike from Queensland join the Victorian duo Kelly Applebee and Sarah Edwards as newcomers to the 20-strong squad, which will be led by Belinda Clark.

The new faces in the team were elevated from the youth side after a successful season in the domestic competition. The two players omitted from last year's squad were Kris Britt and Leah Poulton. Poulton, however, will continue to be a member of the youth squad for the next season.

"The four new members coming into the squad are young, talented players who we feel have the ability to keep developing and improving," Margaret Jennings, the former Australian captain and current chairperson of selectors, said. "Being a part of the senior squad will help fast-track and invigorate their development. The squad still retains a great deal of experience. That's an important element of succession planning for the Australian team - to keep injecting new talent and balancing that with the experience of other players who are still very valuable contributors."

The first challenge for the squad will be a tour of England starting in July as they join their male counterparts in an Ashes series.

Squad
Sarah Andrews, Kelly Applebee, Alex Blackwell, Kate Blackwell, Louise Broadfoot, Belinda Clark (captain), Leonie Coleman, Shannon Cunneen, Sarah Edwards, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Julie Hayes, Melanie Jones, Lisa Keightley, Emma Liddell, Shelley Nitschke, Kirsten Pike, Julia Price (wk), Karen Rolton, Clea Smith, Lisa Sthalekar.

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